Should I go Tubeless???

dibbler

Just had a Maxlight built up, anyhow the shop have put on some Bontrager Race Tubeless ready wheels and the Bonty jones Tubeless tyres.
However they are running with tubes in at the 'mo.
All they need are the tubeless valves and the latex for the rims to run tubeless.
But- do i really need to go tubeless?

i run my tyres at quite high pressures (about 40 psi) but don't suffer from punctures.
Is the weight saving worth the aggro of setting the tyres up? :?:

P66

Na, I don't think so anyway, I think it's a bit fiddily.

magic johnson

P66 wrote:

Na, I don't think so anyway, I think it's a bit fiddily.

Thats rubbish. I have converted loads of my customers to Bontrager tubeless. It takes 10 mins a wheel-15 maybe. Its a real doddle and none of them has had a puncture since (5 months). We run our demo Trek and Gary Fishers tubeless too and the same applies with those.

The main bonus with tubeless (punctures aside) is that the tyres are so much more pliant. They wrap around stones/roots etc more and so the grip is much improved.

If you do get a puncture you can slip a tube in just as easily as with tubed wheels-just take the t/less valve out and in it fits.

Do it, you wont look back

P66

You do have a good point. Can you convert any wheel to tubeless?

BikerDan

Yes you can convert any wheel to tubless with a conversion kit like Stans No Tubes or Joes No Flats. It takes a wee while to do but its realitivly easy.

magic johnson

Yes-most of them, I believe.
I've not used Stans kits but I understand them to be fairly expensive.
The Bontrager kit is excellent value at £17.50ish for a pair - if you already have Bonty T/L wheels - but you need the correct rims first.
They now do an aftermarket rim...worth considering if you twang one. They are really decent quality and light and about £30 IIRC

The only thing you need to consider with going tubeless....its a pain in the arse to swap the tyres when it turns from dry to wet weather so be more careful about tyre selection. The Jones ACX are pretty good for most conditions in UK.

We run Mud X (the absolute dogs danglies)from end Nov and swap to ACX's in spring.

Pagem

hi,

not meaning to hijack this thread but i'm a recent convert to xc and just like the op my bike has come ready for tubless action, so to speak. anyway, i'm running tubes at the mo but could some kind sole simnply list the pros and cons of the whole tubeless thing cos' i'm struggling to know if it's worth the bother.

ta.

magic johnson

Pros:

Slightly lighter
Fewer punctures(self sealing latex jizz)
Better traction(more pliant tyre as the wall is, in effect, thinner)
Easier rolling as theres no tube/tyre friction
Better acceleration (due to less weight therefore less mass to turn)
Fewer pinch punctures (no tube to pinch)

Cons:

Still need to take a spare tube (incase they dont self-seal cuz the holes too big)
Can be expensive-dependant on what rims/tyres you have already
Tyres can be really tight to fit

dave_s

Or just fit Nokian DH tubes if you don't mind the weight they offer unbelievable puncture resistance

Splasher

I've put my experiences here http://ukmb.org.uk/index.php/topic,1224.0.html if it helps anyone decide.